Besotted

CHAPTER 2 Part 7

Chapter 2
The Interactions

7
RECAP- Aashima met Sameer outside the school with Bancho & Bhuvan & then they all left for home.

The trio left the school & even I left for coaching after returning home. School would get over at 2:15 & I would have my coaching from 3. It would be hectic but I managed. After this, I returned home at 4:15 & caught Arshia there. I remember we had a great time that day, discussing my designs & trying the dresses which I designed.

She had conservative parents & would always wear the hijab & at school, she would even wear leggings in this scorching heat. She felt free with me & tried my clothes & damn, she looked too pretty. She said- "Aashima tu toh kya badhiya design karti hai yaar, kitna accha hai ye. Tu designing hi karegi bas, aur kuch nhi. Mere nikaah ka lehenga bhi tu hi design karegi" & with this, I got my very first order pre-booked.

"So, did it happen?" asked Surekha & I replied- "Yeah, I did design her lehenga. Last year she got nikahfied & is living a happy life at present. You know, she's the one who inspired me to start my own wedding label, its still on my bucket list & would think about it after gaining some more experience" Surekha impressively replied- "Wow, that's great indeed" while I took to continue the story.

We would try my jewelry too & I had completely won her heart. Her heart was pure, she never envied me & so, I got my girl best friend. And I had to go to Sarojini Nagar Market too & I asked her if she would accompany. She was ready but feared her parents won't let her go & if they got to know she went out without their knowledge, they're definitely gonna confine her to home.

I comforted her by saying- "Arrey bilkul jaane denge. Ruk main chalti hoon, main baat karungi unse" & after moments of arguing as she was nervous about the idea, she finally agreed & I put on my traditionals & also donned a hijab as to win her family's trust. And trust me, that's wasn't at all difficult for me. Her family was fascinated by my urdu speaking & knowledge of Islam & finally they allowed Arshia to go out with me. We then left for the market on my motorbike...

Arshia- Yaar Aashima tu toh kamaal hai yaar. Itni aasaani se mana liya tune ammi aur bhai jaan ko...

Aashima- Hehe, mujhe logon ke dil jeetne mein time nhi lagta...

Arshia - Wo toh dekha maine par itni acchi urdu kidhar se seekhi tune? Or Islam ke baare mein itni knowledge kaise?

Aashima- Main Pakistani drama bahut dekhti hoon, kaafi pasand hai mujhe aur Quran Paak bhi poori padhi maine. I think humein saare religions ka knowledge hona chahiye, tabhi communal riots khatam ho sakte hai...

Arshia- Haan ye toh bilkul sahi kaha tune. Par tujhe pata hai, itni jaldi unhone kabhi kisiki baat nhi maani, tujhe toh pata hi hai na kitne sakht hai wo...

Aashima- I know right! Meri mummy bhi aisi hi thi, but jab main class 9th mein aayi tabse thodi lenient hai aur tabhi wo Mumbai bhi chali gayi toh main ho gayi free. Waqt ke saath sab theek ho jaata hai...

Arshia- Par kamse kam humein thoda samjhne ki koshish toh kare parents...

Aashima- Ek din zaroor samjhenge, inshallah! Par wo jo kar rhe hai na, hamari bhalai ke liye hi kar rhe hai, isiliye main zyaada shikayat nhi karti. Mere case mein bhi mom wants me to succeed, but apna bhala toh main bhi chahti hoon. Aur jo manzil maine chuni hai khudke liye, uske liye mehnat bhi kar rhi hoon, par mummy samajhti hi nhi. But I know ek din zaroor samjhegi, nhi toh waqt se pehle aur kismat se zyaada kisiko mila hai kya?